Musharraf sends former PM packing

Washington Post:

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was deported from Pakistan Monday, just hours after he ended seven years of exile and returned to the country determined to take on his nemesis, the embattled president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf. Government officials said he was being flown to Saudi Arabia.

The decision to send Sharif back out of the country could spark a direct confrontation between Musharraf and Pakistan's Supreme Court and could have far-reaching implications for Musharraf as he struggles to hold onto power. The court ruled just last month that Sharif had "an inalienable right" to return to Pakistan, and is due in coming weeks to decide whether Musharraf is eligible to run for another term as president.

Sharif, who has been Musharraf's most relentless critic, flew back to Pakistan early Monday morning aboard a Pakistan International Airlines jet. He had vowed to lead a campaign for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan, and for the end to Musharraf's eight-year tenure.

But after touching down at 8:45 a.m., the plane was immediately surrounded by policemen, and law enforcement officials soon boarded. A tense standoff developed.

Nearly two hours after the plane landed, Sharif was allowed to exit the aircraft, and was escorted into a lounge area in the terminal. Negotiations followed, but soon broke down. Sharif was then taken back out to the tarmac and flown away.

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This is probably a smart move by Musharraf. Whatever trouble may result from sending the guy out of the country will be smalled compared to the larger problems that would have resulted from letting him stay. It would be a repeat of the mistakes that Iran made when they allowed the ayatollah to return at the urging of the Carter administration. My guess is that Democrats would have urged the same mistake on Musharraf.